I have spent decades
studying and thinking about the question: what is power? I haven't seen
anything constructive on the subject and only recently have had an even
slightly useful idea.
Here it is. Power is a zero sum game that resembles trade. Zero sum because in the end, politics is the reallocation of existing resources. Rarely the creation of new resources. Trade is of course positive sum.
The currency of exchange is commonly called a 'chit'. As in 'I'm calling in my chits', 'Now you owe me one', and 'I can call in a few chits on this one'.
People using power accumulate power by offering services ('favors') to other people, by having the implied ability to offer services to other people and by spending chits by asking for services (favors) from other people.
There is a revenue of generating chits and expenses of spending chits.
A great deal of power means that the ability to issue chits is great and the number of chits that can be demanded is great. The converse it true.
Does that trade and currency model ring a bell with anyone else?